Army Deploys Seven Thousand Personnel for Highway Repair Work

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Army has deployed seven thousand personnel to conduct repairs on the North Coastal Highway in the West, Central, and East Java provinces, which bore the brunt of the flooding. "The Indonesian Army is working in tandem with the Public Works Ministry to repair the highway. From our pool of 14 thousand personnel, we have deployed seven thousand personnel, who are well-equipped and prepared to do the task," Chief of Staff for Indonesian Army General Budiman stated here on Wednesday. He noted that the repair work is aimed to reduce the number of accidents that often occur due to damaged roads. Budiman added that the road located in the West and Central Java provinces has been worst-affected due to the floods. He emphasized that the Army is giving those areas top priority and conducting repairs on them first. The general pointed out that the extent of damage incurred in the East Java province was not too high, and the Army will repair the damaged road quickly. "Maximum damage has been inflicted on the highway in the Central and West Java provinces. The condition of the road in East Java is relatively better," the general claimed. The Public Works Ministry has provided the requisite materials, tools, and heavy machinery to conduct the repairs. "The Army soldiers will only do the repair work," Budiman reported. (*)